Most of the time, people viewed Buddhist images not individually, but
in assemblages. This was true both on the altars of temples and in the
shrines people had in their homes. In looking at assemblages of Buddhist
figures, it is important to notice differences in size and relative
placement.

What do you notice about size, posture, and position in this
grouping of images in a Dunhuang cave temple?

Below are two sections of Western Wei (6th century) murals
from Dunhuang. The first one is of two Buddhas flanked
by two Bodhisattvas with two apsaras floating above, the other of the
Buddha expounding his teachings. He is surrounded by similar figures.